Unheard Historical Sources: “Münşe’ât Mecmua”s

Abstract

Historians have long overlooked Ottoman münşe’ât compilations and often dismissed them for having limited historical value. This article argues that such collections—specifically Zübdetü’l-Münşe’ât, a manuscript copied in the nineteenth century—offer critical insights into Ottoman epistolary practices and can serve as valuable historical sources. While these works share significant formal and structural similarities, the vocabulary and expressions embedded in their style reflect the lived experiences of their time and offer important clues about prevailing emotional norms. Recent scholarship in the history of emotions has emphasized that emotions are not universal but are shaped by temporally and culturally specific norms. These findings are also supported by research in cognitive neuroscience and cultural psychology. A close reading of the epithets of the letters’ recipients, alongside their content, allows for analysis of both individual and social relationships, and reveals how contemporary societal transformations are reflected in epistolary forms. The study further demonstrates that “sincerity,” as a culturally constructed concept, underwent a notable transformation by the late 19th century. It also shows that the letters provide valuable perspectives on the destabilizing effects of delayed salary payments and the state’s bureaucratic responses, offer insight into familial dynamics and cultural practices, highlighting the historiographical potential of münşe’ât collections.